Defensive Strike?

[Ogrork the Mighty]

Does the +4 bonus on your attack roll count for all attacks in the round, or just the first?

Complete Warrior, p. 97

 

[Crothian]

good question...my firs thought is just one attack, but the feat is really not clear

 

[Celebrim]

My reading is that it is all attacks you make over the course of the next round.

But there is an area that I find even more unclear in the feat, and that is do you get the bonus against the foe if any of the attacker's attacks miss or only if all of the opponent's attacks miss. The first part of the feat's wording seems to indicate the former, but then the closing sentense seems to clarify in favor of the latter.

My ruling is that bonus is only gained if all of the attacker's attacks miss, but I'd be interest to here either confirmation or a contrary opinion and explanation.

 

[Crothian]

this is a terrible written feat....that's my opinion on it

 

[Celebrim]

this is a terrible written feat....that's my opinion on it

Well, yeah. How's this for a simplified and clear wording:

"If an opponent attacks you while you are taking the total defense action, if all of that opponent’s attacks miss, then you gain a +4 bonus to hit on all of your attacks in the following round."

 

[Crothian]

That is clear, now if only we knew that is what they actually meant

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

Personally, I would either grant a +4 bonus to all attacks if all of the enemy's attacks missed OR a +4 bonus to the first attack if any of the enemy's attacks missed.

I'm leaning towards using the latter b/c giving up all your attacks for the round is pretty significant.